title: Screening of HIV-infected patients for non-AIDS-related morbidity: an evidence-based model of practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop guidelines to facilitate management of HIV infection as a chronic disease within the setting of a sexual health or other HIV outpatient clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We undertook a literature search to identify published guidelines and expert panel commentaries on screening and managing non-AIDS comorbidities in the general and HIV-infected population. We developed evidence-based guidelines for screening and management of non-AIDS comorbidities in HIV-positive clients attending the Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) that could be used in other HIV outpatient settings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Guidelines have been developed that describe the recommended tests and an interpretation of results, and outline actions to take if abnormal. A summary document can be placed in the medical notes to record completed tests, and resources such as lifestyle modification pamphlets and cardiovascular risk assessment tools made easily available in clinics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These guidelines are being used by nurses and doctors to facilitate the management of HIV as a chronic disease in the SSHC. This represents a significant shift in practice from the traditional role of a sexual health clinic, and is likely to become increasingly important in resource-rich countries such as Australia where individuals with HIV are expected to live beyond their seventh decade. This model could be used in other HIV outpatient settings including general practice.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia. rosalind.foster@talk21.com
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Sian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ryder
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wray
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McNulty
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology